Retention of weighting on athletic striker

ABSTRACT

Apparatus to add weight to an athletic ball striking bat, having a taper along the bat length, comprising in combination a sleeve sized to extend about the bat at the taper location, the sleeve having associated retention means to engage the bat at a zone along said taper to resist lengthwise removal of the sleeve off the bat during bat swinging, a weight or weights carried by the sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/262,734filed Oct. 1, 2002.

[0002] This invention relates generally to swinging of ball strikers, asfor example baseball bats; more particularly it concerns practice orwarm-up swinging of such strikers or bats having weight added to them.

[0003] When athletes who handle ball strikers warm-up, or train, theycommonly use two strikers, and swing them in unison a few times toloosen muscles. Holding and swinging two strikers is awkward,uncomfortable, and does not achieve the right feel, needed as bygripping and swinging only one striker but one striker does not achieveadditional weight as can be provided by two strikers. There is need toovercome this dilemma, in a simple, effective and efficient manner, asis now provided by the present invention. In a similar manner, there isneed to provide improvements as respects devices for adding weight toball strikers such as baseball bats, for example.

[0004] There is also need for a weight holding device that can be easilyattached to and removed from a bat, and which positively and safelyretains the added weight to the bat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is a major object of the invention to provide a simple andeffective device or apparatus that meets the above need. Basically, thedevice is adapted for use in a ball striker or bat having a taper ortapered surface, along its length, and includes:

[0006] a) a sleeve sized to extend about the bat at the taper location,

[0007] b) the sleeve having associated retention means to operativelyengage the bat at a zone along said taper to resist lengthwise removalof the sleeve off the bat during bat swinging,

[0008] c) a weight or weights carried by the sleeve.

[0009] As will be seen, the weight or weights are typically carried at alocation or locations proximate the ball striking zone; and theretention means is spaced from the weight or weights, and has an arcuateinterior surface to arcuately engage the bat at arcuately spacedlocations.

[0010] It is a further object to enable bat reception through thesleeve, so that the bat handle projects from the sleeve, the engagedzone of the bat typically located between the handle and weight orweights. The latter may be located in a pocket or pockets formed by orattached to the sleeve.

[0011] An added object is to provide the retention means to include aretainer at the inner side of the sleeve, and which has an inner surfaceto engage the bat taper, such inner surface having a configurationdefined by one of the following

[0012] i) generally cylindrical

[0013] ii) tapered, lengthwise of the sleeve

[0014] A yet further object it to provide a first pulling device on thesleeve to enable manual pulling of the sleeve endwise along the batduring close fitting assembly of the sleeve to the bat. A second pullingdevice may be provided on the sleeve to enable manual pulling of thesleeve endwise along and off the bat. Such devices may comprise pullerssuch as loops projecting at the sleeve exterior.

[0015] Another object is to provide the weight or weights to comprise adeformable mass or masses of surface configuration, at or proximate thebat “sweet spot”.

[0016] An added object is to provide a retainer having an inner surfacecharacterized by at least one of the following:

[0017] i) conical shape

[0018] ii) tapered

[0019] iii) cylindrical

[0020] iv) consisting of metal

[0021] v) consisting of non-metal

[0022] vi) consisting of plastic

[0023] Another aspect of the invention concerns provision of a method ofuse of the sleeve as described, in any of its forms, that includes

[0024] i) relatively advancing the sleeve in a first direction onto thebat to position the associated retention means at or along the battaper,

[0025] ii) practice swinging the bat,

[0026] iii) and subsequently relatively retracting the sleeve off thebat in second direction opposite the first direction.

[0027] That method may include use of deformable weight or weightscarried by the sleeve in spaced relation to the retainer, as well as thestep of allowing said weight or weights to deform during bat swinging.

[0028] These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as wellas the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fullyunderstood from the following specification and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0029]FIG. 1 is a front side elevation showing an elongated sleeve-typereceptacle receiving a ball striker such as a baseball bat;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1, showing a modification;

[0031]FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of two types of retainers usable inthe sleeve of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0032]FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 1, showing another modification;

[0033] FIGS. 6-9 are three-dimensional views of further modifications;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a section taken through a modification having inner,outer and intermediate sleeve construction;

[0035]FIG. 11 is a section taken through a modification having inner andouter sleeve construction;

[0036]FIGS. 12 and 13 are side views of modifications having differentweight position;

[0037]FIG. 14 is a section taken through a sleeve assembled to a bat,and showing retainer and weight positioning;

[0038]FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the retainer seen in FIG. 14;

[0039]FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a modified retainer, of the typeshown in FIG. 15;

[0040]FIG. 17 is a view like FIG. 15, but showing a conical retainer;and

[0041]FIG. 18 is a view showing a modified form of sleeve attachmentretainers and

[0042]FIG. 19 is a view of a modified sleeve, retainer and weightstructure;

[0043] FIGS. 20-27 show modification; and

[0044]FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 are sections taken on lines 28-28, 29-29 and30-30- in FIG. 0.27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, an athletic ball striker, in the form of abat 10 has a surface taper along its length, in region 11. That tapermay be defined by a conical section of the bat, between handle 10 a, andthe bat sweet spot or region 10 b. The forward end of the bat is seen at10 c.

[0046] A sleeve 13 is provided and sized to be received endwise on thebat, in direction 14. As shown, its assembly onto the bat is arrested inthe sleeve position shown, extending about taper region 11, as well asabout the sweet spot region 10 b. The sleeve may for example consist offlexible plastic material.

[0047] The sleeve has associated retainer means to engage the bat, attaper region 11, and to resist lengthwise renewal of the sleeve off thebat, in direction 14. That retainer means may take the form of anannular retainer ring indicated at 15. FIGS. 14 and 15 show the retainerengaging the bat tapered surface, at 16, with interference, to resistfurther forward movement along the bat. The sleeve 17 is attached to theretainer, or carries the retainer as at 18, so that the sleeve islikewise retained against further forward movement on and along the bat.The attachment 18 may be a bond, or the retainer may be mechanicallyattached to the sleeve, as by a fastener or fasteners. Sleeve materialmay extend between the retainer and the bat.

[0048] Retainer 115 is shown in FIG. 17 as generally conical, and ashaving conical inner and outer surfaces 15 a and 15 b. FIG. 16 shows themodified retainer 25 as comprising an annular ring 25 a and having acoating 25 b on it, such as a plastic coating, serving to engage the batsurface without scoring it. FIG. 18 shows a retainer 26 in the form of aring, and having an annular recess 26 a. A clamping ring 27 extendsabout recess 26 a, and clamps a portion 13 b of the sleeve into therecess, to secure the sleeve to the retainer 26.

[0049] The sleeve 13 in FIGS. 1 and 14 carries a weight or weights 20,spaced forwardly of the retainer 15 at location 116. See space 21 inFIG. 14. That space may be of selected length, and may be almosteliminated to place the weights very near the retainer; however, asshown, the retainer 15 is located between location 116 and the bathandle. That weight or weights may consist of a mass of deformablematerial such as metallic granules continued in a pocket or pockets 23(see in FIG. 14) integral with the sleeve. Such pockets hold thegranules in close conformity to the bat surface at location 116, and thepockets may themselves be flexible to enhance such conformity, so thatthe bat overall configuration remains generally the same, whether or notthe sleeve is applied and retained. This may be promoted by forming thepockets in elongated, narrow configuration, and spaced about the bat asindicated by the weight locations seen in FIG. 1. The weights arepreferably located adjacent region 116. The pockets may be sewn to thesleeve.

[0050]FIG. 2 shows a sleeve 30 received on bat, and held against forwarddislodgement by annular retainer 31. A first device, such as loop 32 isprovided on or attached to the sleeve forward side portion 30 a, forenabling manual pulling of the sleeve forwardly along the bat duringassembly. A second device, such as loop 33, is provided on or attachedto the sleeve rearward side portion 30 b, for enabling manual pulling ofthe sleeve rearwardly along the bat, during disassembly off the bat 34.FIG. 4 shows the conical retainer 31, similar to 115 and FIG. 3 shows amodified retainer 32, in the form of a cylinder, similar to 15.

[0051]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1. The sleeve 13 is split atV-shaped edges 13 e and 13 f that extend lengthwise and form a triangle.Stretchable resilient fabric or material such as SPANDEX is provided at36, and attached to the sleeve along the triangular edges of the sleevesplit, of selected length. This allows the sleeve to resiliently expand,for reception on a larger diameter bat, and to fit or adjust to a rangeof bat diameter sizes.

[0052]FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 8 a schematically show multiple sections 40 aand 40 b of a sleeve assembly 40. Inner sleeve 40 a carries an annularretainer at 41 and weights at 42. Outer section 40 b fits telescopicallyover section 40 a, to form the assembly 40. An end portion 40 b′ of 40 bmay be pulled back over the retainer 41 and sewn in position at 43.

[0053]FIG. 9 shows a bat 50, with a thickened sleeve 51 fitting over thebat sweet spot region. A retainer 52 is attached to the sleeve at itsend, and may be attached as during molding of the sleeve, as for exampleif it is made of rubber or plastic. Solid metallic weights 53 fit intopockets 54 in the sleeve itself.

[0054]FIG. 10 is a cross section that shows an inner sleeve 60 fittingon a bat and carrying weights at 61; and an outer sleeve 62 fitting overthe inner sleeve. The bat is shown in cross section at 63. FIG. 11 showsan inner sleeve 64 fitting on a bat, and an outer sleeve 65 fitting oversleeve 64 and carrying weights at 66. The weights may be carried inpockets in the sleeves. The sleeve carrying the weights may be firm, andthe sleeve not carrying weights may be flexible.

[0055]FIG. 12 shows a sleeve 70 on a bat 71, and removable weights 32carried in pockets 74 that can be opened and closed, as via a flap 73.FIG. 13 shows a sleeve 80 on a bat 82, with weights 83 extending about,or annularly about the bat axis, and carried by the sleeve. Seeretainers at 90 in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0056] In FIG. 19, bat 140 extends through sleeve 141. Weights 142 arecarried by the sleeve as shown, and are spaced about the sleeve axis143. An annular metallic retainer 144 is carried by the sleeve, andengages the bat tapered surface 145, at annular edge locus 146, toreturn the sleeve to the bat as during practice swinging. The bat handleextends in direction 147.

[0057] Sleeve material 141 a extends leftwardly beyond the retainer. Aninsert ring 148 of material is located leftwardly of the retainer,inwardly of material 141 a. Ring 148 may consist of plastic, and acts asa spacer to keep sleeve end material 141 a from caving in, or bunching,toward the bat, to interfere with bat separation from the sleeve indirection 149. The sleeve and its end material may be flexible. Ring 148is typically carried by the sleeve.

[0058] In the FIG. 20 modification, elements are as follows:

[0059]200—a sleeve with open ends at 200 c and 200 d

[0060]201—weights carried by the sleeve, and spaced about the sleeve atselected positions. They can be solid, or flowable in plastic or fabricbags, secured to an inner portion of the sleeve.

[0061]202—a ring shaped retainer, of any material, or coated with vinylor rubber, extends about the sleeve near sleeve smaller end 200 d, toretain the sleeve to the bat, which enters at end 200 c.

[0062]203—Retainer straps that extend crosswise over the retainer, andmay be sewed to the sleeve, to position the retainer and hold it inposition.

[0063]200 a—Sleeve portion with greater taper than sleeve portion 200 b.

[0064]FIG. 21 has the following elements:

[0065]210—sleeve

[0066]211—weights carried by the sleeve, as in FIG. 20.

[0067]212—a flap carrying VELCRO 212 a (hook or pile)

[0068]210 a—sleeve portion carrying VELCRO 212 b (pile or hook) toreceive adjustable attachment to VELCRO 212 a, to control the size ofthe sleeve end portion 210 a that extends closely about the bat, i.e. isretained to the bat, to retain the sleeve and weights to the bat.

[0069]FIG. 22 has the following elements:

[0070]220—inner sleeve section of larger diameter to fit various sizesof bat diameters

[0071]221—inner sleeve section of smaller diameters, to fit over a bat222 narrower section 222 a seen in FIG. 23.

[0072]223—Sewn together end junctions of 220 and 221. See also sew lines224 and 225

[0073]224—sleeve end opening

[0074]FIG. 23 has the following elements:

[0075]230—outer sleeve that fits over inner sleeve 202

[0076]231—weights associated with the sleeve, and carried by either.

[0077]232—Annular retainer, carried by inner sleeve (for example), andhaving inside wall 232 a. Retainer can be secured by a fabric piece sewnto inner wall of sleeve.

[0078]233—ring of stiff foam or other material, to act as a spacer orpositioner for sleeve excess fabric end 230 a.

[0079]230 b—sleeve inside wall.

[0080]FIG. 24 shows the following elements:

[0081]240—outer wall sleeve

[0082]241—inner sleeve, with larger diameter section 241 a

[0083]242—weights carried by 240 or 241

[0084]243—ring shaped retainer

[0085]244—straps sewn over the retainer, and onto either sleeve, toposition the retainer. Other retainer holding means can be used.

[0086]245—Outer sleeve end slits, sewn together to narrow the sleeve end240 a to effectively taper the sleeve to fit a bat taper.

[0087]FIG. 25 has the following elements:

[0088]250—fabric sleeve

[0089]251—cut-outs at one end of 250, to eliminate excess fabric in theretainer area, for example at 252

[0090]253—sleeve 250 sew line

[0091]254—sleeve end flaps, between cut-outs, to be sewn together as inFIG. 26.

[0092]FIG. 26 has the following elements, associated with FIG. 25:

[0093]255—sewn together edges of flaps 254, to provide a reduceddiameter sleeve section 250 a, the larger diameter sleeve section 250 bfitting many different size bat barrels

[0094]256—weights

[0095]FIG. 27 has the following elements:

[0096]260—open end sleeve or outer sleeve that fits onto a bat 265

[0097]261—frame (plastic or metal) associated with or carried by sleeve,to extend about inserted bat

[0098]262—weights carried by the frame in pockets 262 a, and spacedabout the bat.

[0099]263—sleeve retainer, that extends about the bat, to endwiseposition the sleeve and frame on the tapered bat, as described above

[0100]264—frame ring

[0101]264 a—inside wall

[0102]265—open area

[0103]266—foam or added plastic sleeve.

[0104] FIGS. 28-30 are sections, taken in FIG. 27, and show thepositions of weight 262 relative to frame members 270. Zone 271 can bean additional plastic sleeve, extending about the frame. Also, theweight pockets can be spaced about the axis 273, between frame members.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus to add weight to an athletic ball striking bat,having a taper along the bat length, comprising in combination: a) asleeve sized to extend about the bat at the taper location, b) thesleeve having associated retention means to engage the bat at a zonealong said taper to resist lengthwise removal of the sleeve off the batduring bat swinging, c) a weight or weights carried by the sleeve. 2.The combination of claim 1 wherein the weight or weights are carried ata location or locations spaced from said zone.
 3. The combination ofclaim 2 wherein said retention means has an arcuate interior surface toengage said zone at arcuately spaced location.
 4. The combination ofclaim 1 including said bat projecting through the sleeve.
 5. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said bat has a handle portion thatprojects from the sleeve, said zone located between said handle portionand said weight or weights.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidsleeve is generally cylindrical.
 7. The combination of claim 6 whereinsaid associated means includes an annular retainer at the inner side ofthe sleeve, and which has an inner surface to engage the bat taper, saidinner surface having a configuration defined by one of the following: i)generally cylindrical ii) tapered, lengthwise of the sleeve.
 8. Thecombination of claim 7 including a pocket or pockets carried by thesleeve and receiving said weight or weights.
 9. The combination of claim6 including a first device on the sleeve for pulling the sleeve alongthe bat during assembly of the sleeve to the bat.
 10. The combination ofclaim 9 including a second device on the sleeve for pulling the sleevealong the bat during disassembly of the sleeve off the bat.
 11. Thecombination of claim 9 wherein said device is a first loop at a locationnear the sleeve end that faces in the direction of sleeve assembly ontothe bat.
 12. The combination of claim 10 wherein said second device is aloop at a location near the sleeve end that faces in the direction ofsleeve disassembly off the bat.
 13. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid weight or weights comprises a deformable mass or masses ofmaterial.
 14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said material ismetallic and granular.
 15. The combination of claim 8 wherein saidpockets are spaced about an axis defined by the sleeve.
 16. Thecombination of claim 15 wherein said weight or weights comprises adeformable mass or masses of material.
 17. The combination of claim 7wherein said retainer inner surface is characterized by one of thefollowing: i) conical shape ii) tapered iii) cylindrical iv) consistingof metal v) consisting of non-metal vi) consisting of plastic material.18. The combination of claim 8 wherein said pocket or pockets are sewnto the sleeve, the sleeve comprising flexible material.
 19. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a resiliently expansiblesection to allow sleeve fit to a bat of larger diameter.
 20. Thecombination of claim 1 including an annular insert in the sleeve, at anend of the sleeve, to block inward bunching of the sleeve end, toward abat zone.
 21. The combination of claim 1 wherein the insert is proximatethe retainer, and consists of lightweight material.
 22. The method ofthe sleeve as defined in claim 1 that includes i) relatively advancingthe sleeve in a first direction onto said bat to position saidassociated means at said zone along the bat taper, ii) practice swingingthe bat, iii) and subsequently relatively retracting the sleeve off thebat in second direction opposite the first direction.
 23. The method ofclaim 22 wherein said weight or weights are deformable, and includingallowing said weight or weights to deform during bat swinging.
 24. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes inner and outersleeves, the inner sleeve having a wall that acts as a protector, forthe bat.
 25. The combination of claim 1 wherein the retention meansincludes a retainer carried by one of the following: i) the sleeve ii) apocket on the sleeve
 26. The combination of claim 1 including a framecarried by the sleeve, the weight or weights carried by the frame. 27.The combination of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has end portion defined byflaps which are edge connected to form a reduced diameter sleeve sectionto closely fit about a bat narrowed sections.
 28. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein the sleeve has two sections, one of larger diameter ordiameters than the other.
 29. The combination of claim 1 includingadditional means associated with the weight or weights to enableselective weight removal or detachment from the sleeve.
 30. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has inner and outer sections,the sleeve inner section being semi-rigid.